This document discusses the rules around the goal circle in women's lacrosse. It outlines the special protections for the goalie when in the goal circle, including not being able to be checked. It also discusses the 5 second possession rule for players in the goal circle and positioning for officials around the goal circle. Defensive and attacking player positioning and restrictions in the goal circle are also summarized.

1. Draw
In this presentation:
• The goalie
• Rules around the goal circle
• Positioning around the goal circle
Women's Lacrosse Basic Officiating
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
video
Around the Goal Circle
Player serving a Time Penalty
Mistakes by Officials
Overtime

2. Draw
The goalie
• The goalie has special protection:
• Their stick may not checked when the goal circle
• If the goalie is in the goal circle but their stick is outside
the goal circle, their stick may be checked
• They may pick up the ball with their hands when in the goal
circle
• A goalie is grounded in the goal circle as long as any part of
their foot/body is touching the goal circle.
• A goalie not in or in contact with the goal circle no longer has
any special protection: they are regarded as a field player
• A goalie cannot cross their attacking restraining line
• A goalie cannot score a goal
Women's Lacrosse Basic Officiating
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
video
Around the Goal Circle
Player serving a Time Penalty
Mistakes by Officials
Overtime

3. Draw
The goalie
• The ball may be inside inside the goal circle for 5 seconds
• Once the ball has entered, the official will start to count
• 1…2…3…4…5 out loud
• Make hand signals while counting, arm should be fully
extended on every full second
• Counting starts when the goalie, or another player who
enters the goal circle, has possession of the ball
• If the goalie is still in possession in the crease after 5 seconds, the
official will blow the whistle and award the ball to the opposing
team, 15 m away from the goal on the GLE.
• Once the count has started, it will only stop when the ball or ball
carrier leaves the goal circle
• Dropping the ball in the crease does not stop the count
Women's Lacrosse Basic Officiating
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
video
Around the Goal Circle
Player serving a Time Penalty
Mistakes by Officials
Overtime

4. Draw
Possession in the goal circle
• Goalie has possession of the ball when the ball is in their crosse
OR trapped under their crosse.
• Defensive players have possession of the ball when the ball is in
their crosse.
• Defensive may possess the ball within the goal circle and move it
out of the goal circle even when the goalie is still in the goal circle.
Women's Lacrosse Basic Officiating
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
video
Around the Goal Circle
Player serving a Time Penalty
Mistakes by Officials
Overtime

5. Draw
Rules around the goal circle
Stick Checking:
• The goalkeeper cannot be checked/interfered with when they are
in possession of the ball in the Goal-Circle.
• A defender can be legally checked while they are in the Goal-Circle
when they have possession of the ball
Women's Lacrosse Basic Officiating
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
video
Around the Goal Circle
Player serving a Time Penalty
Mistakes by Officials
Overtime

6. Draw
Rules around the goal circle: defensive players
Players in their defending area may move through the goal circle IF:
• The attacking team has possession of the ball below GLE,
defenders may run through the whole goal circle. But only the
player(s) marking the ball-carrier may remain in the goal circle.
• The attacking team has possession of the ball above GLE,
defenders are only permitted to run through the part of the goal
circle below GLE while defending. The defender(s) marking the
ball-carrier may remain in any part of the goal circle.
Women's Lacrosse Basic Officiating
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
video
Around the Goal Circle
Player serving a Time Penalty
Mistakes by Officials
Overtime

7. Draw
Rules around the goal circle: attack players
An Attack player may play a ball within the Goal-Circle, but must not:
• Step on or over the Goal-Circle line to play the ball on a shot
• Step on or in the Goal-Circle until the whole ball passes
completely over the goal-line
• Initiate contact with the goalkeeper, or a defender
• Cause a defender to make contact with the goalkeeper
• Interfere with the goalkeeper or their crosse in any way
Women's Lacrosse Basic Officiating
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
video
Around the Goal Circle
Player serving a Time Penalty
Mistakes by Officials
Overtime

8. Draw
Rules around the goal circle: setting up goal circle fouls
• Foul by the attack: goalie gets the ball in the goal circle.
Player who fouled will move 1m to the side. Everybody
moves 1 m away from the goal circle. Whistle start.
• Foul by a defensive player: Attack gets ball 15 m away where
the MA meets GLE. The player who fouled will be placed 4
m behind the ball-carrier. Whistle start.
• Foul by goalie: Attack gets ball 15 m away where the MA
meets GLE. Nobody goes behind ball-carrier. Whistle start.
• In all cases, all other players move 4 m away from the ball.
Women's Lacrosse Basic Officiating
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
video
Around the Goal Circle
Player serving a Time Penalty
Mistakes by Officials
Overtime

9. Draw
Positioning around the crease
• The lead umpire should always strive to be as close to the crease as
possible without losing sight off all the players or hindering play
• Sometimes it is easier to move towards the end line instead of
the sideline, staying closer to the goal
• This way the goal will not be hindering your sight
• When a goal is scored, the lead umpire should make contact with
their fellow umpires as quickly as possible to verify if the goal is
legal before blowing the goal signal
Women's Lacrosse Basic Officiating
SPECIAL SITUATIONS
video
Around the Goal Circle
Player serving a Time Penalty
Mistakes by Officials
Overtime